OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect on pain in the dressing change after perianal abscess surgery treated with warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1).

METHODSOne hundred and sixty patients were randomized into a moxibustion group and a far-infrared therapy group, 80 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, the warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1) was applied. In the far-infrared therapy group, the infrared ray was radiated at Changqiang (GV 1). The treatment started in 10 min after dressing change in the two groups. Totally, 8 treatments were required. The time requirement being equal to or less than 2 score in the assessment face scale (AFS), the case number of pain relief in 10 min after treatment and the intention of the two therapies after everyday dressing change were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSIn the moxibustion group, the time of pain relief was shorter than that of the far-infrared therapy group [(11.5 +/- 3.9) min vs (17.8 +/- 3.8) min on the 1st day; (9.4 +/- 3.6) min vs (15.2 +/- 4.3) min on the 2nd day; (7.8 +/- 2.7) min vs (14.3 +/- 3.2) min on the 3rd day; (6.4 +/- 3.3) min vs (10.5 +/- 2.9) min on the 4th day; (5.9 +/- 2.9) min vs (11.2 +/- 1.9) min on the 5th day; (5.3 +/- 2.2) min vs (8.8 +/- 2.3) min on the 6th day; (5.4 +/- 1.8) min vs (9.2 +/- 2.1) min on the 7th day; (5.1 +/- 1.4) min vs (9.5 +/- 2.6) min on the 8th day, all P < 0.05]. The case numbers of pain relief in 10 min after treatment were 74 cases, 75 cases, 77 cases and 78 cases from the 1st to the 4th day separately in the moxibustion group, which were much more than 63 cases, 65 cases, 68 cases and 69 cases in the far-infrared therapy group (all P < 0.05). The treatment intention scores in the moxibustion group were better than those in the far-infrared therapy group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warm suspending moxibustion at Changqiang (GV 1) relieves pain rapidly in the dressing change of much more patients after perianal abscess surgery in much shorter time as compared with the far-infrared therapy. Moreover, the patients have more expectation to be treated with moxibustion therapy.

Abscess ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anus Diseases ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and genetic predisposition to keloid in Chinese population.

METHODSPCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to detect p53 gene codon 72 genotypes of 60 keloid samples and 102 whole blood samples from healthy controls in China.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism between the keloid patients and the healthy controls (X2 = 2.910, P = 0.233), nor did the frequencies for Pro and Arg alleles (X2 = 0.882, P = 0.348), and there was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism in keloid patients and normal controls from China and Japan respectively (X2 = 3.942, P = 0.139; X2 = 3.260, P = 0.196). But the Arg/Arg genotype was significantly higher than the Pro/Pro genotype among the patients with keloid in shoulder and back (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was no significant association between the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloid in Chinese population, but Arg/Arg genotype may affect the formation of keloids in shoulder and back compared to others. Further research should be done to investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloids in different sites.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Codon ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo provide evidence for illustrating the molecular mechanism of nickel carcinogenesis, and to identify the differential expression of protein in crystalline NiS-induced neoplastic transformation of human bronchial epithelial cell by proteomics technology.

METHODSTwo dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and the ImageMaster 3.10 software were used to analyze the differential expression of protein, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) combined with database search was applied to identify protein peroxiredoxin 2 (PDX2) related to malignant transformation.

RESULTSThe good 2-DE pattern including resolution and reproducibility was obtained. Nearly 700 expressed proteins per 2-D gel were isolated with molecular weights (MW) ranging from 14,400 to 94,000 KD and pI 3 - 10. A protein PDX2 with MW 21,890 KD, pI 5.66, which was highly expressed in malignantly transformed cell, was identified using MALDI-TOF-MS.

CONCLUSIONPDX2 was involved in malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cell induced by crystalline nickel sulfide.

Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Peroxiredoxins ; metabolism ; Proteome

OBJECTIVETo explore the ability and mechanism of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) induced bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation into cardiomyocyte-like cells (CLCs).

METHODSBMSCs were isolated and purified in vitro. BMSCs were treated with control medium and 15 ng/ml IGF-1 for 3, 7, 14 and 21 d, respectively. The expression of Troponin-T (TNT), Troponin-I (TNI) and pIGF-1R were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. In another experimental setting, BMSCs were treated with control medium and 15 ng/ml IGF-1, IGF-1 antagonist I-OMe AG538 (300 nmol/L) and 300 nmol/L I-OMe AG538 + 15 ng/ml IGF-1 for 3 to 48 h, respectively. Phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 and AKT, the two downstream mediators of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways, were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSAfter 3 to 21 d exposure to IGF-1, the expression of pIGF-1R, TNT and TNI were significantly higher in IGF-1 group than those in control group, pIGF-1R peaked 14 d (all P < 0.05). After 3 and 6 h treatment, the ratio of pAKT/AKT (0.17 ± 0.03) and pERK1/2/ERK1/2 (0.06 ± 0.03) were significantly downregulated in I-OMe AG538 group compared to control group (1.00 ± 0.05) (all P < 0.05). The ratio of pAKT/AKT (1.00 ± 0.07) and pERK1/2/ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.09) were significantly upregulated in IGF-1 group compared to control group (0.72 ± 0.05) (all P < 0.05), but the ratio of pAKT/AKT (0.31 ± 0.10) and pERK1/2/ERK1/2 (0.39 ± 0.04) were significantly downregulated in I-OMe AG538 group compared to control group (0.63 ± 0.05) (all P < 0.05), the value of gray scale of TNT (195.06 ± 5.98) and TNI (198.32 ± 3.46) in I-OMe AG538 + IGF-1 group were significantly upregulated than that in IGF-1 group for TNT (188.70 ± 5.35) and TNI (176.10 ± 4.96) (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIGF-1 could induce BMSCs differentiation into CLCs in vitro by activating MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic significance of p53 mutation and P53 protein expression abnormality among esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe results of 27 random controlled trials from 1990 to 2003 were analyzed by meta-analysis method. The overall positive rate of p53 was 52.9% among the cumulative 2174 cases. Relative hazard (RH) was applied to evaluate the risk of disease and all data were analyzed by Dersimonian-Laird method.

RESULTSThe analysis for homogeneity (q statistics test) showed that all eligible studies were with heterogeneity (q = 59.88, P < 0.005). The combined RH was 2.07 and 95% confidence interval was 1.58-2.70.

CONCLUSIONFindings showed that p53 was a poor prognosis biomarker for esophageal cancer gene diagnosis but might benefit to the strategy of treatment.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study genetic polymorphism of 9 STR loci in Han nation population in Shangdong Province.

METHODSWe investigated 100 unrelated individuals of Han nation population in Shandong Province and studied their genetic distribution of 9 STR loci and Amelogenin locus. Primers of 10 loci were labeled with the NHS-ester fluorescent dye 5-FAM (blue), Joe (green) or NED (yellow). The data of Han nation population were generated by multiple amplification and subjected to GeneScan, genotype and genetic distribution analysis.

RESULTS83 alleles and 220 genotypes were observed, with the corresponding frequency of 0.0050-0.4050 and 0.0100-0.2100. The average of heterozygosity was 0.7778, the accumulated discrimination power was 0.9999. The accumulated probability of exclusion paternity was 0.9999. The polymorphism information content was 0.5823-0.8396.

CONCLUSIONSChi-Square test indicated that the distribution of genotypes agreed with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Alleles ; China ; ethnology ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

To investigate the induction method and function of dendritic cells (DC) derived from acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) blasts in vitro, cytokine-supplemented suspension cultures of leukemia blasts in 25 AML patients were performed. Mononuclear cells were cultured for 8 to 12 days using recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha). Morphology, phenotype, cytogenetics, and function of induced cells were studied. The results showed that after culture for 3 days, cells in 20/25 AML cases demonstrated an increase in size with dendritic morphology. After culture for 8 - 9 days, the percentage of such cells reached peak. When cultured for 12 days, the total number of cells and the number of cells with DC morphology decreased greatly. Phenotypic analyses of cells (11/20 cases) were measured by flow cytometry before and after culture. Before culture, cells did not express CD1a, CD80 and CD83, while expressed CD54, CD86 and HLA-DR with low frequency. After culture, cells upregulated CD1a, CD80, CD83, CD54, CD86 and HLA-DR significantly. A marked increase of the T-cell stimulatory capacity could be generated in Allo-MLRs. FISH confirmed the leukemic origin of generated cells. In conclusion, leukemia-derived DC can be generated from AML blasts using cytokine combination (GM-CSF, IL-4, and TNF-alpha) in vitro.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blast Crisis ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision. In this review, we report recent trends in international MC and HIV prevention efforts, as well as the potential benefits and importance of promoting MC in China. We appeal to medical and public health authorities to pay close attention to the international experience in MC and HIV prevention.
Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Medicine ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunological rejection mechanism of tracheal xenotransplantation and xenografts as potential sources of trachea.

METHODSOn SD rat model, a xenotransplanted tracheal from the guinea pig was established by wrapping it in the cervical muscles in situ. It was divided into cryopreserved group and uncryopreserved group. Under the examinations with histochemistry, immunofluorescence (IFL) and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques, the pathomorphological characteristics of the tracheal xenografts and the immunological rejection mechanism were evaluated.

RESULTSThe tracheal allotransplantation with cryopreserved grafts wrapped by neck muscles was survived for a longer period. Histological examination revealed normal appearance of the allografts. The tracheal grafts patency was above 80%. However, cryopreserved tracheal xenografts of the guinea pig-to-rat maintained vitality for 14 days in maximum and 13.2 days on average, while the fresh tracheal xenografts only for 9 days in maximum, and 8 days on average. Acute rejection occurred in the tracheal xenotransplantation. A marked mononuclear-macrophage cellular infiltration mixed with eosinophils and lymphocyte was seen in the xenografts. Antibody (IgM, IgG) and complement (C3) deposition were also obviously detected by IFL in the xenografts. CD4 T+ cells and CD8+ T cells increased significantly in the vascular circulation. In all of the xenografts, complete loss of tracheal epithelium was associated with cartilage necrosis. The grafts patency was below 50%. This performance deteriorated with extended time periods. The fresh xenografts performed significantly worse than the cryopreserved xenografts.

CONCLUSIONSAcute rejection, caused by humoral immune reaction mainly integrated with cellular immunity, is the most notable characteristics in the guinea pig-to-rat tracheal xenotransplantation in situ. Cryopreservation can potentially reduce the antigenicity. The low antigenicity may inhibit the immunologic reaction relatively, so that prolonged survival of discordant cryopreserved tracheal xenografts could be achieved.

Animals ; Graft Rejection ; Guinea Pigs ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trachea ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVENo optimal prophylactic protocol of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) combined with nucleos(t)ide analogue for HBV recurrence has been established yet. By investigating the alterations of HBV markers in HBV related liver disease patients, recipients of a liver transplant, under lamivudine or/and HBIG prophylaxis, we aim to explore the possible HBV recurrence mechanism involved and to find a new option in the prophylaxis of HBV recurrence and to tailor individualized therapy.

METHODSSerial liver biopsy specimens and sera were obtained intraoperationally and at definite time points during follow-up. ELISA and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, HBV DNA fluorescent quantification, immunohistochemistry staining and HBV DNA in situ hybridization were performed. Alterations of HBV markers in specimens of 96 liver transplant recipients were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTSAll 17 cases had HBV recurrence (median 37 months) which occurred in the follow-up period after liver transplantation. The overall actual HBV recurrence rate at 2 years was 22% with a significant difference between that of the active and inactive groups (P<0.05); 82.4% HBV recurrence took place within the first 3 years after the operation, and the recurrence ratio of first 3 years to 3 years later after transplantation was 4.7 (P<0.01). The HBV DNA positive patients accounted for 78.6% of the total number of recurrences within the first 3 years. HBcAb and HBeAb positive rates went down with time, but their positivity remained.

CONCLUSIONHBV recurrence happens after liver transplantation. In inactive HBV replicative patients with strictly combined prophylaxis and availability of other medications and using 3 years after liver transplantation as a point of time, we think that tapering down the dosage of HBIG and tailoring individualized treatment methods based on virological and immunological situations of each recipient are worth trying.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Secondary Prevention ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult